New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-13
DEMOCRATS SEEKING A WAY OF ESCAPE.


DEMOCRATS SEEKING A WAY OF ESCAPE.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ROBERTSON IN INDIANA
DEMANDING HIS OFFICE.
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. IL (specap.-Another step
toward securing by pesceable possession OF the
Office to which he was elected taken to-day by
Lieuten Governor Robertson As expected 1t
was bitterly opposed by the Democratic majority in
the Senate Shortly after the opening OF the morning
session, Senator Drake (Rep.l moved that commit
tee Of two be appointed to escort Lieu.enantGover-
nor Robertson to the chair stating in support OF tho
motion that Colonel Robertson had been lawfully
elected and that to deny him the tight to preside
would be 10 inaugurate revolutionary methods.
Democratic Senator, on point Of order, objected to
the consideration OF the motion tor the reason that
it involved question that the Senate had already
passed upon The point sustained by Smith, the
presiding oficcr and an appeal from the ruling was
denied Lieutenant Governor Robertson's formal
demand for his office was then presented in tine fol-
lowing form:
INDIANAPoLIs January IL, 1887.
To the Indiana Senate.
GENTLEMEN: have the honor to inform you that,
having taken the oath OF office which Is hereto
attached am in possession of the office OF Lieutenant
Governor of the State of Indiana, am able to attend
your sessions and ready to enter upon the constt
tional fun ctons prescribed In section OF Article
Of the State Constitution to wit: 10 be president Oh
the Senate with all the rights and duties In said Sec
tiOn proyided that have IN nv Judgment, wroH9
fully excluded and prevented me from exercising that
function and duty OF my office. Against this, your
scti,n, do hereby most earnestly protest ana re-
moustrate and respectfully demand my rights
r. s. ROBERTSON. L;eutenant-Governor.
As the communication sent up 10 the clerk.
Democratic Senator moved it's rejection without
reading decl airing that the Democratic memters OF
the Senate could not afford to have the claim read as
it was preposerous and to entertain 1t was sefstu-
trying There was no such person as Lieutenapt-
Governor and the Senate had already so decided
However Senators Mcdonald and Weir. both Demo.
Gratis, commended tho course pursued Dy coIonei
Robertson and opposed the party move TO re)ect the
communlcat on. prolonged debate followed, re-
sultino In the adoption of the motion to reject by a
party vote Senator Winter thereupon announced
that the Republican minority would consider Co onsi
Robertson Lieutenant Governor and Send'or om,h
as a usurper in holding the office OF President ot Inc
Senate. - =, 49,.
As things are gong, there will certainly be two
lep.atures and s evident that in the election .!
United States Senator the body presided over oy MT
Robertson will be recognized as legal ana its caha
date seated. In case OF Governor Grays deat1. .ne
Repub can State officers. holding the management OF
the states affairs. will unquestonaby recoghiLe Mr
Robertson and not Mr.. Smith. The Democrats are
beginning to realize that they have made mistake Q
and they anxious to get ont OF the pred,csmehs
with some appearance OF grace Green smltn nleu
in the County Court warranto pioceedihgs
against Colonel Robertsons assuming !ne uuues 10; Gs
the Office 10 which he had been elected and by this
move il his claim is sustained, he Will be let down
easier than il compelled by force TO surrender pos
seasion OF the ONCE. The feeng on Doth SUES uo"-
ever ia less tevcrish and there s no ANTICIPATION
OF the serious trouble that seemed inevitso Die
| two DAYS ago In the Senate this morning SEN
ator De: Motto lRep.l caused sensaIio1 oy
complaint regarding the doorkeepers who had refused
to let him in or out OF the Chamber de had foand
armed men in the Senate. ne SAID ana naa oeen
watched as il he was an Anarchists bomb ready to
explode. -, IL, c.,,,,
| . will instruct the doorkeepers." said Smith,
to permit the Senator 10 pass In and out at WILL
To this Senator De Motto sarcastcally replied
reg ret that YOU haven't the control OF the natter
Smith to-day expressed regret In the Senate tnat
Senator Harrison had been refused adnttAnce TO the
chamber Yesterday and requested Senator Davis to
convey TO the Republican leader his apology. Dem
ocrato opposition TO this action caused the appoint
ment be withdrawn.